Spiral banding

Abstract

Various processes for the addition or build-up of material such as base metals or alloys onto tool joints and/or threads of drill pipe typically used in, but not limited to, the gas and oil industry are disclosed. In one example, a spiral delivery of material is described, as well as, a machine that delivers the material onto the tool joints and/or threads of drill pipe. Variables can be temperature used during pre-heat, application, inter-pass and/or post process, electrical current used (AC/DC), volts, amps, wire type and size, cooling process, width and depth of bead applied, rotation, and travel speed.

1 . A spiral-banded drill pipe, comprising:
 a pin end, a box end, and a shaft that extends between the pin end and the box end, and   a continuous bead of welding material that is deposited on an exterior surface of the pin end, and spirals around a portion of the pin end.   
     
     
         2 . The drill pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the pin end is hollow and has a constant inner diameter, and wherein the portion of the pin end onto which the bead is deposited has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The drill pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the pin end has a threaded tip having threading on an exterior surface of the pin end. 
     
     
         4 . The drill pipe of  claim 3 , wherein the bead is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the pin end that is adjacent to the threaded tip of the pin end. 
     
     
         5 . The drill pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the box end has a threaded tip having threading on an interior surface of the box end. 
     
     
         6 . The drill pipe of  claim 5 , wherein the threading on the interior surface of the box end is complementary to the threading on the exterior surface of the pin end. 
     
     
         7 . The drill pipe of  claim 5 , further comprising a second continuous bead of welding material deposited on an exterior surface of the box end. 
     
     
         8 . The drill pipe of  claim 7 , the portion of the box end onto which the bead is deposited has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         9 . A spiral-banded drill pipe, comprising:
 a pin end, a box end, and a shaft that extends between the pin end and the box end, and   a continuous bead of welding material that is deposited on an exterior surface of the box end, and spirals around a portion of the box end.   
     
     
         10 . The drill pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the box end has a threaded tip having threading on an interior surface of the box end. 
     
     
         11 . The drill pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the box end is hollow and the welding material is is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the box end that has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The drill pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the pin end has a threaded tip having threading on an exterior surface of the pin end. 
     
     
         13 . The drill pipe of  claim 12 , further comprising a second continuous bead of welding material deposited on an exterior surface of the pin end. 
     
     
         14 . The drill pipe of  claim 13 , wherein the second bead is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the pin end that is adjacent to the threaded tip of the pin end. 
     
     
         15 . The drill pipe of  claim 13 , wherein the pin end is hollow and has a constant inner diameter, and wherein the second bead is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the pin end that has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The drill pipe of  claim 15 , wherein the threading on the interior surface of the box end is complementary to the threading on the exterior surface of the pin end. 
     
     
         17 . A spiral-banded drill pipe, comprising:
 a pin end having a threaded tip, wherein the threaded tip of the pin end includes threading on an exterior surface of the pin end;   a box end having a threaded tip, wherein the threaded tip of the box end includes threading on an interior surface of the box end;   a shaft that extends between the pin end and the box end;   a first spiral band of welding material deposited on an exterior surface of the pin end; and   a second spiral band of welding material deposited on an exterior surface of the box end.   
     
     
         18 . The drill pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the pin end is hollow, and wherein the first spiral band is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the pin end that has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The drill pipe of  claim 18 , wherein the box end is hollow, and wherein the second spiral band is deposited on an exterior surface of a portion of the box end that has a constant outer diameter. 
     
     
         20 . The drill pipe of  claim 19 , wherein the pin end has a threaded tip having threading on an exterior surface of the pin end, the box end has a threaded tip having threading on an interior surface of the box end, and wherein the threading on the interior surface of the box end is complementary to the threading on the exterior surface of the pin end.